Home crowd favourite Alex de Minaur’s new jewellery caught the eye on Thursday.
And the Australian sparkled on court too, booking a third-round spot and revealing he was determined to “make 2021 everything 2020 wasn't.”
The mother of his coach Adolfo Gutierrez gave De Minaur a ‘Tree of Life’ necklace, about which the 21-year-old explained: “It's something that you don't buy it for yourself. It's something you're supposed to be given to, and it's for a life of luck, happiness, and fulfilment.”
Luck has turned his way after injury denied him a start at AO 2020.
Happiness and fulfilment are on the cards if his current form continues.
The world No.23 dealt with two-time quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren in a composed 7-5 6-1 6-1 opener, before "Demon" kept the Uruguayan veteran Pablo Cuevas at bay in another straight-sets win to move into the last 32.
Season 2020 produced plenty of positives for De Minaur on court. He achieved his best Grand Slam result to date in advancing to the US Open quarterfinals – where he was halted by eventual champion Dominic Thiem – also hit a career-high ranking of world No.23.
However, the devastation of missing his home Grand Slam last January still lingers.
“I've got to fill that void that I missed last year. It was not ideal having to pull out, having to come out here to the tournament, do my media and tell everyone that I was pulling out. I mean, that's not a position I want to ever be in again. Touch wood that doesn't happen,” the Australian No.1 said.
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"I'm making up for last year. I'm enjoying my time on court, and hopefully I can prolong it and keep playing some great tennis, because this is where I want to be."
The Sydneysider celebrates his 22nd birthday next Wednesday and would relish the chance to light the cake candles during a second-week venture at Melbourne Park.
“All the work you put in is for this tournament. You have the preseason, and you want to just show off your best tennis in front of your home crowd," he said.
"Your home slam is always that one tournament you mark in the calendar which you want to perform in.
“It wasn't easy last year, but I think I have used that to kind of fuel the hunger that I've got in the belly for this year around.”
Prior to returning to Melbourne Park in 2021 the Demon lifted his fourth title at Antalya. He then represented Australia in ATP Cup action, with two close defeats at the hands of Roberto Bautista Agut and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
It’s been an encouraging start to this AO campaign and he must inwardly fancy his chances against the unpredictable world No.17 Fabio Fognini.
The Italian required five fiery sets to see off his compatriot Salvatore Caruso on Thursday and Fognini believes he’s the underdog against De Minaur.
“Really tough. I think at the moment is the favourite because of course he's coming from Antalya where he won a tournament. And here he didn't lose a set already,” Fognini said.
“I'm really happy because of course I'm coming from injury, and for me it's really tough. Of course now I'm 33, almost 34, and I wish my body still recover really quickly, because Alex I think is one of the faster guys in the circuit, and he's really solid from both sides.
"You know it's going to be an interesting match of course.”
Reciprocally, De Minaur is wary of the calibre of opponent if Fognini fires on all cylinders.
“Fabio has been up there for a very long time. He's back to playing his best tennis. He showed it at ATP Cup,” said De Minaur, ahead of a first meeting with Fognini.
“It's going to be a very tough one, but I'm happy to be in the third round. I'm happy to be back competing in the Australian Open in front of my home crowd, and I'm just going to enjoy every second of it.”
The home crowd will enjoy every second of it if he can continue his charge through the draw.